Mattie T’s Week 11 Predictions of the 2006 NFL Season

Let’s get it poppin…

Week 10: 7-9

Overall: 84-60 (.583)

vs.
Atlanta Falcons (5-4) vs. Baltimore Ravens (7-2) from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.

1:00 PM EST

Falcons won last meeting 20-17 in November of ‘02.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Ravens to win this game, improving to 4-0 since head coach Brian Billick took over the team’s playcalling duties.

The Ravens will have on play on Sunday for the second straight week without LB Ray Lewis. (back)

That could spell good news for the Falcons, who have the NFL’s top-ranked run offense. (198.9 yards per game)

Ravens QB Steve McNair could be in for another big game against the Falcons’ 30th ranked pass defense. (232.9 yards allowed per game)

Falcons QB Michael Vick needs 30 rushing yards to become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to amass 3,500 in a career (with Randall Cunningham, Steve Young, Fran Tarkenton and Steve McNair).

Falcons RB Warrick Dunn needs 118 rushing yards to become the fourth player in team history to amass 5,000 (with Gerald Riggs, William Andrews and Jamal Anderson).

Ravens K Matt Stover has made 36 consecutive field goals, which is the third longest streak in NFL history (Mike Vanderjagt-42, Gary Anderson-40).

vs.
Buffalo Bills (3-6) vs. Houston Texans (3-6) from Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.

1:00 PM EST

Bills have won 2 of 3 all-time meetings against Texans.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Texans to win, giving them their first 2 game win streak since December of ‘04 in the process.

Bills RB Anthony Thomas could be in for a big day against the Texans’ 27th ranked run defense. (131.3 yards allowed per game)

If the game is close on Sunday, then the Bills could be in some trouble.

Buffalo has lost their last 13 games decided by 3 points or fewer, including their 17-16 loss to the Colts in Week 10.

Bills QB J.P. Losman, who made his first NFL start against the Texans in September 2005, is just 1-8 as a starter on the road despite throwing more touchdowns (8) than interceptions (7) in those contests.

Texans WR Andre Johnson has 100+ receiving yards in six of his last seven home games, including each of the last five. He is averaging 8.6 receptions and 112.7 yards per game in those seven contests.

Texans QB David Carr has league-best 70.6% completion percentage at home this season, including 74.6% in his last two home contests.

vs.
Chicago Bears (8-1) vs. N.Y. Jets (5-4) from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

1:00 PM EST

Bears won last meeting 20-13 in 2002. Bears have not won at Giants Stadium against the Jets since ‘94.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Bears to win a close one, completing their 2 game sweep at the Meadowlands.

Bears WR Bernard Berrian will be a game-time decision for Sunday. Berrian is 3rd on the team with 27 receptions, 2nd with 495 yards & is tied for 1st with 4 touchdowns.

Berrian also has the longest completion this season by a Bears’ wide receiver, which is for 62 yards.

Bears RB’s Thomas Jones & Cedric Benson could be in for a big day against the Jets’ 28th ranked run defense. (143.2 yards allowed per game)

Jones needs 101 rushing yards to reach 5,000 for his career. Jones has averaged 106 rushing yards in his last six games vs. the AFC.

Sunday’s game will feature a wonderful special-teams duel between the Bears’ Devin Hester & the Jets’ Justin Miller. Both men have combined for 4 kickoff/punt returns for touchdowns this season.

Bears WR Muhsin Muhammad has caught a touchdown pass in three consecutive games,
but has been held under 100 receiving yards in each of his last 15 games vs. the AFC.

Jets QB Chad Pennington has 20 touchdown passes, just five interceptions and a 105.0 rating in his career vs. the NFC.

vs.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) vs. New Orleans Saints (6-3) from the Superdome in New Orleans, LA.

1:00 PM EST

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Saints to win this one in a shootout.

This game will feature the NFL’s #6 (Saints) & #7 (Bengals) offenses.

The Saints boast the NFL’s top-ranked pass offense. (283 yards per game)

Bengals QB Carson Palmer has a rating of 90 or better in eight of his nine career starts vs. the NFC, including all three starts this season. Palmer has 19 touchdowns in those games, including five touchdowns and no picks this season.

Bengals WR Chad Johnson set a team record with 260 receiving yards last week, but he has been held under 100 yards in 18 of his last 20 road games.

Saints QB Drew Brees made his first career start vs. the Bengals back in 2002 (w/San Diego). Brees was 15-for-19 with two touchdown passes and a 136.8 rating in that contest. Brees also has 34 touchdown passes in his last 16 home starts.

Saints WR Marques Colston has 100+ yards in three consecutive games and is on pace for 1,545 yards which would break Bill Groman’s rookie record of 1,473 set with Houston back in 1960.

vs.
Minnesota Vikings (4-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (3-6) from Dolphin Stadium in Miami, FL.

1:00 PM EST

Vikings have won last 3 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Dolphins to record their 3rd win in a row.

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown might have trouble against the Vikings’ top-ranked run defense (66.6 yards allowed per game), but Dolphins QB Joey Harrington might have some success against the Vikings’ 26th ranked pass defense. (225 yards allowed per game)

Vikings QB Brad Johnson has zero touchdown passes in nine of his last 16 starts vs. the AFC (regular season only).

Vikings RB Chester Taylor is averaging 94.0 rush yards on the road this season, which is the third best average by a Viking since 1970 (Robert Smith, 103.8 in 2000 and 97.5 in 1996).

Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper (knee) will miss his 6th consecutive game, ruining a chance for him to face his former team for the first time.

Culpepper is the highest rated passer in Vikings history (91.5), and threw for over
20,000 yards with 135 touchdowns in seven seasons in Minnesota.

vs.
New England Patriots (6-3) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-5) from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.

1:00 PM EST

Patriots are making their first trip to Lambeau Field since October of ‘88.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Patriots to win this game, remaining perfect away from Gillette Stadium.

This game will feature the NFL’s #3rd (Patriots) and #7th (Packers) ranked run defenses.

Patriots QB Tom Brady could be in for a big game against the Packers’ 31st ranked pass defense. (242 yards per game)

Brady has a 122.7 rating with 13 touchdown passes in his last four games vs. the NFC, including at least three TD passes in each contest.

Patriots RB Corey Dillon is 92 rushing yards shy of 11,000 in his career. He would become the 15th player in league history to reach that mark.

Packers QB Brett Favre has won his last three starts vs. the Patriots, including Super Bowl XXI. He has a rating of 100+ in each of those three games, with eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

Packers WR Donald Driver has a touchdown catch in both games vs. the AFC this season, but he has gone seven consecutive games without a touchdown at Lambeau Field.

vs.
Oakland Raiders (2-7) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

1:00 PM EST

Chiefs have won last 6 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Chiefs to win in one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries.

Sunday’s game will mark the return of Chiefs QB Trent Green, who has been out since Week 1, when he suffered a severe concussion from Bengals DE Robert Geathers during Cincinnati’s 23-10 win.

Chiefs QB Damon Huard, the career backup who stepped in and kept the Chiefs in the playoff hunt by going 5-3 as the starter, will return to the bench. Huard completed 146 of 241 passes for 1,824 yards and had 11 touchdown passes to only one interception. His 97.6 rating is third in the AFC and fifth in the NFL.

Chiefs WR Eddie Kennison thinks Green will be ready to go at full throttle on Sunday.

“I don’t think he missed a beat. It looked like he went to sleep one day and woke up the next day and was ready to go,” Kennison said. “I don’t think he missed a beat at all.”

Raiders WR Randy Moss has at least one touchdown pass in each of his four career games vs. the Chiefs (5 total).

Chiefs RB Larry Johnson has seven touchdowns in four career games vs. the Raiders, while averaging 123 scrimmage yards in those contests.

Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez will be out 2-3 weeks with an injured shoulder.

Amazingly, Gonzalez has missed just one game in his 10 year career, which was back in Week 1 of the 1999 season (injured knee).

vs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) vs. Cleveland Browns (3-6) from Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH.

1:00 PM EST

Steelers have won last 5 road meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Browns to win, avenging a 41-0 home loss in ‘05 to their rival team in the process.

Steelers RB Willie Parker could be in for a big game against the Browns’ 30th ranked run defense. (143.6 yards allowed per game)

Parker has averaged just 52 rushing yards in four road games this season.
Several Browns players are looking forward to Sunday’s game.

“That never left us,” Browns LB Andra Davis said. “That’s personal right there. We’re definitely looking forward to that one.”

“We’re coming after (them),” Browns WR Braylon Edwards said. “You don’t beat somebody 41-0 at their own house. We’re coming for the Steelers, that’s point-blank, period.”

Steelers LB Joey Porter, who will be making his 100th career start on Sunday, has four sacks in his last two games vs. the Browns.

Browns QB Charlie Frye has three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in five career starts vs. the AFC North.

 vs.
St. Louis Rams (4-5) vs. Carolina Panthers (5-4) from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

1:00 PM EST

Panthers have won 3 of last 5 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Panthers to win this one.

 

Panthers RB’s DeShaun Foster & DeAngelo Williams could be in for a big day against the Rams’ 29th ranked run defense. (143.3 yards allowed per game)

 

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme needs just 195 passing yards to break Steve Beuerlein’s team record of 12,690.

 

Panthers WR Steve Smith is averaging 111.4 receiving yards per game, which is the highest average in the league since Jerry Rice (115.5) in 1995.

vs.
Tennessee Titans (2-7) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

1:00 PM EST

Titans won last meeting in September of ‘02.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Eagles to blowout the Titans.

Donovan McNabb & the Eagles offense should be in for a big day against the NFL’s worst defense. (374.3 yards allowed per game)

McNabb has never had a rating over 86.0 in any of his 13 career home starts vs. AFC opponents.

Titans RB Travis Henry has averaged 134.5 rushing yards in four career games vs. the NFC East.

The Titans will have DT Albert Haynesworth available for Sunday’s game.

Saturday marked the end of a one-week exemption that allowed Haynesworth to practice without being added to the 53-man roster, following his five-game suspension from the league for stomping on Dallas center Andre Gurode’s head.

He rejoined the team at practice on Wednesday. Team officials made continuing anger management counseling a condition of his return.

Titans head coach Jeff Fisher had said he wanted to see what kind of shape Haynesworth was in after not practicing for six weeks before deciding if he would play.

Before his suspension, Haynesworth started 46 of the 60 games he’s played.

“It will take me a few plays to get back into actually pushing on somebody and running like that, but it should come back to me,” Haynesworth said at a news conference Tuesday.

“I’ve been playing it for a while so I should be all right.”

vs.
Washington Redskins (3-6) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-7) from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

1:00 PM EST

This will be their first meeting since January’s NFC Wild Card Game, which Washington won 17-10.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Bucs to win this one, spoiling Jason Campbell’s NFL debut.

Redskins QB Jason Campbell will make his NFL debut on Sunday for the Redskins.

Campbell, a first round selection in last season’s draft, has never been active in a game and has never taken a regular season snap.
If his college career is any indication, the Redskins (3-6) may have found their quarterback for years to come.

Campbell finished with 31 wins at Auburn, the most of any quarterback in school history, and owns the Tigers’ record for career completion percentage. He started in four straight bowl games, and led the team to a 13-0 record as a senior.

 
Campbell has already received congratulations and advice from fellow NFL quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair and Charlie Frye.

“They just told me to take the approach of ‘Go out there, be yourself,”‘ Campbell said. “Just take every play one play at a time. If you make a mistake, keep your head up high and keep working hard, because you are going to get better from game to game.”

 

Switching quarterbacks is nothing new for the Redskins, who have had only two players at the position in the last 14 years –Gus Frerotte in 1996 and Brad Johnson in 1999 — make it through an entire season with the No. 1 job intact. Campbell becomes the 17th quarterback to start for Washington in that span.

“I thought we really needed a spark,” Redskins G Randy Thomas said. “At 3-6, a certain move like this hopefully will get guys thinking, ‘This is a new beginning. This is something we can build on, and hopefully this can bring greatness.”‘

 

Redskins RB Ladell Betts will replace Clinton Portis (broken right hand, out for season) as the team’s starting back.

Portis was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season.

Buccaneers QB Bruce Gradowski could be in for a big day against the NFL’s worst pass defense. (244.2 yards allowed per game)

Buccaneers DE Simeon Rice has 13 sacks in his last 10 games vs. the Redskins (including playoffs), including seven in the last four meetings (also including playoffs).

 vs.
Detroit Lions (2-7) vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-8) from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ.

4:05 PM EST

Lions have won past 3 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Cardinals to win this game, snapping their 8 game losing streak in the process.

This could be the week to do it against a Lions team that has yet to win a game away from Ford Field. (0-4 on road)

Lions QB Jon Kitna could be in for a big game against the Cardinals’ 29th ranked pass defense. (229.2 yards allowed per game)

Kitna is 4-13 in his last 17 road starts and is 0-17 lifetime in road starts when recording a rating under 72.0.

Detroit’s defense has taken a huge hit recently with the suspension of DT Shaun Rogers.

The Lions have allowed an average of 194.7 rushing yards in the last three games, after allowing an average of just 94.3 rush yards through the first six games this season.

Lions RB Kevin Jones has rushed for 277 yards in two career games vs. Arizona, averaging 6.9 yards per carry in those contests.

Cardinals RB Edgerrin James is just 190 rush yards shy of 10,000 in his career. He has rushed for 100+ yards in both of his career games vs. the Lions.

 

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald is eight receptions shy of 200 for his career. If he reaches the mark on Sunday, it will be in his 39th game, which will tie him for the fourth fastest to reach the 200-reception mark in NFL history (with Terry Glenn and Kellen Winslow Sr.).

Teammate Anquan Boldin reached the mark the fastest, doing so in his 34th career game.

vs.
Seattle Seahawks (6-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (4-5) from Monster Park in San Francisco, CA.

4:05 PM EST

Seahawks have won last 6 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Seahawks to beat the 49ers on Sunday.

The Seahawks will get 1 of their 2 injured Pro-Bowlers back on Sunday.

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander will return to the Seahawks’ lineup for the first time since Week 3, when he broke a bone in his left foot in Seattle’s 41-30 over the N.Y. Giants.

The Seahawks’ pair of backups are a big reason that the team has been able to overset the loss of both Alexander & Hasselbeck (doubtful for Sunday), posting a 6-3 record & a 2 game lead on both the Rams & 49ers.

Seahawks RB Maurice Morris has filled in for Alexander and rushed for 262 yards in the last two games — both wins.

Seahawks QB Seneca Wallace hasn’t thrown an interception in the last two weeks and had his best game Sunday, going 15-of-23 for 161 yards and two touchdowns as the Seahawks defeated the Rams 24-22.

Seahawks K Josh Brown beat St. Louis for the second time in less than a month with a late field goal, making a 38-yarder with 9 seconds left.

“I am very proud of the football team in the last few weeks, when we have been kind of holding them together with band aids — particularly on offense,” Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren said. “The guys have stepped up and really given great efforts, I think.

“We dinked it around a little bit and haven’t been as efficient as I would like, but we managed to scrape out a couple wins.”

Bobby Engram, the Seahawks’ leading receiver last season, is expected to miss his sixth straight game Sunday with a thyroid condition.

 

In his absence, the Seahawks have used Darrell Jackson opposite Deion Branch, and the two players have combined for 10 touchdowns.

Jackson has been held under 100 receiving yards in eight straight road games, but he has two 100-yard performances and four touchdowns in three career games at Monster Park.

 

Seahawks LB Julian Peterson faces his former team for the first time since leaving San Francisco this past off-season. Peterson had 21.5 sacks and five interceptions in six seasons with the Niners.

49ers RB Frank Gore has averaged 112 scrimmage yards in his last six home games. Gore also has five touchdowns in his last three games vs. the NFC West.

vs.
Indianapolis Colts (9-0) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-4) from Texas Stadium in Irving, TX.

4:15 PM EST

Colts have won last 3 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Cowboys to hand the Colts their first loss of the season.

Cowboys RB’s Julius Jones & Marion Barber III will lead the NFL’s 5th ranked run offense (135.7 yards per game) against the NFL’s worst run defense. (159.3 yards allowed per game)

The Cowboys’ defense will take a big blow with the loss of DE Greg Ellis (torn achilles tendon.)
Ellis was 2nd on the team with 4.5 sacks.

Indianapolis looks to become the first team in league history to start 10-0 for two consecutive seasons with a win.

The Colts are the only team in the league that has scored on over 50% of its offensive drives this season and is the only team to convert over 50% of its third down conversions (55.8%).

Colts QB Peyton Manning has a 120.2 rating with 46 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in his last 16 games vs. the NFC.

Colts WR Reggie Wayne is 62 yards shy of 5,000 for his career. Wayne has six touchdown receptions in his last five games.

Cowboys WR Terrell Owens has 15 touchdown receptions in his last 15 games vs. the AFC, including four in three games this season. Owens has a TD in each of his two career games vs. the Colts.

Cowboys K Mike Vanderjagt faces his former team for the first time since leaving via free agency this past off-season. Vanderjagt is the Colts all-time leading scorer (995) and made 87.5% of his field goals with the team.

vs.
San Diego Chargers (7-2) vs. Denver Broncos (7-2) from Invesco Field in Denver, CO.

8:15 PM EST

Chargers have lost last 6 road visits against Broncos & is only 11-34-1 there all-time.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Broncos to win this game, giving them a 4-0 divisional record that could end up the deciding factor in the AFC West division title.

This game will feature the NFL’s top-ranked offense (Chargers) against the NFL’s top-ranked defense (Broncos).

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson has not fared well historically at Invesco Field, averaging just 53 rushing yards and 3.4 yards per carry in five career games in Denver.

 

Tomlinson needs just two touchdowns to reach 100 for his career. If he does so Sunday in his 89th game, he would reach the mark quicker than any player in history (Jim Brown & Emmitt Smith did it in 93 games).

No team has caused more problems for Marty Schottenheimer than the Broncos. He has twice as many losses vs. Denver (22) than against any other team, and his teams are just 3-14 all-time in Denver (including playoffs).

vs.
N.Y. Giants (6-3) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) from Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, FL.

8:30 PM EST

Giants have won 2 of the 3 meetings.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Jaguars to win, spoiling the return of Tom Coughlin.

 

Coughlin will be facing his former team for the first time since being fired in 2002. He was the Jaguars’ first coach in 1995 and led them to the AFC championship game twice, finishing with a 68-60 record.

“I’m going out a different door, that’s for sure, and if I remember, it’s not a long walk,” Coughlin told giants.com about being in the visitors’ locker room at Alltel Stadium this week. “It’ll be a different experience, no doubt. Being on the other sideline will be different.”

Giants RB Tiki Barber has averaged 210 scrimmage yards, including 162 rushing yards, in his last four games vs. the AFC.

 

Giants WR Plaxico Burress has averaged 88.3 receiving yards on Monday Night in his career, which is the fourth best average all-time (minimum 5 games, behind Randy Moss- 96.7, Torry Holt- 96.2 and Jerry Rice- 89.5).

Jaguars RB Fred Taylor has rushed for 100+ yards in 16 of his 28 career starts vs. the NFC.

That’s a wrap with the Week 11 Predictions.

My weekly recap in sports along with Top 25 College Basketball & Football Recaps will be coming later tonight.

Don’t forget about the upcoming U-Hype 1 Year Anniversary Jam on Friday, December 1st from 8:30 pm-2am!

$6 Cover….can’t beat that!

Until then,
Mattie T

Sports Writer for BMS Radio Chicago

www.bmsradio.com & myspace.com/bmsradiosports